Hot SourceBy Paul Mamattah
The Academy Orchestra of the Music and Arts Academy, Ghana, has staged a remarkable music and arts event in Accra dubbed “A Night with Natascha Botchway.”
The concert featured Natascha Botchway, a Ghanaian-German award-winning virtuoso with the German Orchestra, who joined students and tutors of the academy to deliver a performance that blended Western classical traditions with indigenous Ghanaian sounds.
The show saw Mozart’s timeless pieces dance alongside compositions by Ghana’s Varrick Armaah, creating a rich fusion that celebrated cultural bridges through music.
The audience was treated to a memorable evening of artistic brilliance and collaboration.
The Music and Arts Academy, Ghana, was born out of the COVID-19 lockdown when parents sought meaningful pastimes for their children.
What began as a small initiative to train children in playing musical instruments has blossomed into a thriving academy with a budding orchestra.
Today, that orchestra has matured into a platform where young talents are showcased alongside seasoned musicians on both local and international stages.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Board of the Academy, Godfred Edusei Derkyi reiterated that the academy was born from the creative adaptation during the COVID-19 lockdown noting that over the past few years, the academy has nurtured young musical talent,
He pointed out that the recital’s repertoire features a diverse selection of pieces that evoke a range of emotions, reflecting the richness of musical experiences from across the globe.
Mr. Derkyi drew a parallel between music and painting, likening the performances to an artist’s brush strokes that leave vibrant impressions on a canvas.
“The myriad colours of music will shine through in the performances we will experience today,” he stated, setting the stage for an inspiring night of artistic expression.
Speaking at the event, the founder of the Music and Arts Academy, Ghana, Ignatius Mensah, encouraged parents to consider introducing their children to music as a way of nurturing their growth and development.
He explained that music is a valuable skill that instills discipline, consistency, and dedication in young people.
“Instead of turning to the internet or tablets, consider introducing your children to the world of music. Music requires time, effort, and commitment, and these are lessons children can apply to any area of their lives,” he stated.
According to Mr. Mensah, the goal of the event was to provide young people with a platform to display their talents and to highlight the academy’s vision of building not just musicians, but individuals of character and resilience.
“At the Music and Arts Academy, we are helping to build character, skill hands, and develop the hearts of the children we work with,” he added.
Speaking to the media after the event, Ghanaian-German award-winning violinist, Natascha Akosua Tenkorang Botchway Dakowa, who was the guest of honour praised the organisers for the musical concert, the passion and enthusiasm of young Ghanaian musicians.
The virtuoso with the German Orchestra described the experience as deeply inspiring. “It’s wonderful to witness how much joy young children find in playing instruments. In Germany, learning an instrument is often viewed as a serious professional pursuit. But here in Ghana, it’s different. Even with rehearsals lasting for hours, the children are always having fun, and that’s what matters most,” she said.
She added that the event was so impactful that it deserves to be repeated.
“I believe this experience deserves a part two. One time is simply not enough, and we’ll find a way to make it happen,” she affirmed.
The performance brought together students as young as five alongside adults, from diverse backgrounds, united by their shared passion for music.
The night’s performance underscored the academy’s commitment to using music as a tool for personal development, cultural expression, and nurturing talent, marking another milestone in Ghana’s growing classical and traditional music space.
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